As second-year medical students (M2s) on the oncology track, Kate Choate, Sierra Sheets, and Brianna Iverson have very little free time. Despite their busy schedules, the trio want to increase interest in the Hematology-Oncology specialties at University of Iowa Health Care among their peers. Last December, they published their first issue of the Opportunities, Information, & Networking in Cancer (or OINC) newsletter.

“I believe that our core audience is anyone that is interested in oncology, as we provide good insight into resources, awesome stories, and highlight wonderful individuals in the field,” Choate said. She will join Sheets and Iverson as an author on the second OINC issue.

The first issue spotlights several of UI Health Care’s “star” oncologists and related specialists. It details the path to becoming a physician in oncology, ongoing research, types of cancer diagnosis and treatment, and what drives providers in such an academically and emotionally rigorous career. The newsletter idea came to the students after they attended an oncology panel last fall. Featured specialists spoke about their research and the future of their field. Their discussion of breakthrough treatments and patient care stood out to Sheets, Choate, and Iverson, offering opportunities they felt aligned with their vision for success.

“I knew this place would work with me, even though I had extra life things to take care of,” Sheets said. “For years [the UI Health Care staff and faculty] empowered me and worked with me even though my life situation wasn’t normal. Having the staff here that supported me—I’m hoping to be able to support my patients like that going forward.”

The impact of UI Health Care faculty, especially the students’ mentor, Mohammed Milhem, MBBS, made it easy to find inspiration for the OINC newsletter.

“He’s the best and most supportive mentor in the world,” Iverson said. Sheets agreed, “His dedication and compassion make us want to be better doctors someday.”

The trio points to several model mentors within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCCC).

“Everyone wants to support you,” Iverson said. “Everyone wants to see you succeed, and they make it abundantly clear that, whatever you need, they want to help.”

HCCC’s designation as “comprehensive” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) comes in part from members who are compassionate, committed, and experts in their field, with an exceptionally high standard for care and research. Their members are mentors to many students doing research or completing rotations, and have an indescribable impact on the future of medicine.

If choosing a path in medicine relied just on supportive faculty, though, options would still be wide-ranging in the Carver College of Medicine. “I was looking for that feeling of, ‘This is exactly where I’m supposed to be,’” Sheets said. “I think there’s a big disconnect for students between what oncology could look like as a provider, and you need those mentors who push and advise you.” Sheets said she texted Iverson immediately after her first day in clinic: “It clicked.”

Choate had a similar story to share. She said that seeing physicians “advocate” for their patients cemented her desire to go to medical school. She saw this up close when her father was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and encountered a wide range of clinicians.

“I saw how they interacted with patients, their families, and colleagues to provide the best possible care. Over the course of seven months,” Choate said, “I went to various appointments, infusion treatments, hospital stays, palliative care visits and eventual hospice care for my dad. I found a new appreciation for life and the impact that I could have on those who may be going through a similar situation. Even though this situation was devastating, I found a purpose and that was medicine and the ability to serve others.”

These experiences and what they see when working closely with oncologists inspire them personally, but also inspire them to spread the word to their classmates through the OINC newsletter. They have already begun planning their next issue and reaching out to guest writers for future issues.

They plan to highlight Match Day later this week, explaining the matching process, as well as the residency and fellowship application processes. When the new academic year begins in August, they will highlight summer research, what’s new in oncology, and tips for new students; and in December, the focus will be on pursuing research and mentorship or shadowing resources.